Dear Diary: My Life Raising Brown Girls

I woke up this morning at 4:57AM. Believe me it was not on purpose. As a result of this, I am tired, cranky and annoyed. This is not a good combination. I'm surrounded by all sorts of noise. For example, loud horns, loud trains loud music, loud people, and inconsiderate neighbors who allow their children to go to make noise all day and all night. They go to bed extremely late, get up extremely early to dragging or dropping things on and across the floor. I cannot stand noise and it makes my ears hurt. Talking to the parents is useless. It seems as though they cannot control them. I expect children to play and make noise. Nonetheless, after a certain time all horse play should cease. I have a ten year old who likes to dance, flip and bounce around. However, she is not allowed to do any activity of those activities during the week after 7:30pm (except Friday), before noon during the weekend, after 9:30 on Saturday or after 8 on Sunday. Between 9:00 and 9:30, Sunday-Thursday, she i

On Saturday, October 18, 2014 the Bedford Stuyvesant Collegiate Charter School along with La Cima Elementary Charter School collaborated to host their first Mindfulness March. Each scholar and their family member(s) who agreed to participate in the event had to contribute a healthy snack and create a poster that stated why you were marching. During this event my daughter and I along with several other scholars and members of their family participated in several activities including meditation, a silent march around the perimeter of the school carrying the posters we created. We also participated in  reading, reciting and interpreting positive quotes. At the beginning of the event the host asked, "Does anyone know what mindfulness means? Does anyone know what it means to be mindful? How can it help you in your life?" As you read this post you may be asking yourself the same questions.  Mindfulness or being mindful is being aware of our surroundings, thoughts and feelings

Rae, you have no idea how much you mean to me As you grow into what you are destined to be You came from within; from just beneath my heart it's there you'll always be though your own life will now start You're growing so no longer my little girl with misty eyes I send you out into this cold and heartless world I know sometimes to you I seem cruel and unfair, But one day you will see, It was all because I care. The next few years will quickly go by There will be laughter, happiness, sorrow and even a few tears to cry. As you begin your growth to young adulthood, there is something you should know, you’ll always be my source of pride, no matter where you go. You must stand up tall and proud, within you feel no fear, for all you dreams and goals, sit before you very near. With god's love in your heart and the world by its tail, you’ll always be my winner, and victory will prevail. There are times when I  am crazy and even

It is day four of the new year and I am excited for whats to come---the known and the unknown. Unfortunately, I have some unfinished business from 2014. On a daily basis, I take the train to and from work. Living in New York City I often see, hear or read something that will inspire the next topic for my blog.   Yesterday, I was going through my draft folder and I have so many unfinished topics. Has this ever happened to you? My immediate reaction was to delete them. However, after reading each prospective posting I decided not to delete them. I want to finish what I started. I have a lot going on in my life at this moment, but with a lot of work and dedication I know I can do it. Mentally Preparing Myself Do you have any unfinished business from 2014?

My Brown Girls and I would like to wish you a year that is filled with good health, happiness and abundance of joy.  We pray that all of your hopes and dreams come true.